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Welsh can cheer England in pubs too

The Government wants everyone to get behind the England football team this summer - and that now officially includes the Welsh.

Pubs in Wales will be able to stay open late for England games during the World Cup after originally being left out the legislation.

The Home Secretary announced in March that licensing hours could be extended across England to allow them to screen the team's opening game against Italy, which kicks off at 11pm on June 14.

England's two other group matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica kick off at 8pm and 5pm respectively, but if the team reach the knockout stages with 9pm kick-offs, the relaxation could come into play again in the event of extra time.

After receiving complaints that pubs in Wales should be able to stay open as well, regulations have been laid to allow premises in Wales to apply for a temporary event notice for England's World Cup games.

Crime prevention minister Norman Baker said: " We want everyone to get behind the England football team this summer.

"The Government has already relaxed licensing hours in England for the World Cup and some people in Wales have said they would like longer opening hours too.

"That is why we have introduced legislation to make it easier and cheaper for pubs across Wales to extend their licensing hours."

Earlier this month, it emerged a Home Office impact assessment on late-night drinking during this summer's tournament had taken into account the ''high probability''that the England squad will not play in ''later matches''.

The Home Office previously rejected a request from the British Beer and Pub Association asking for an extension of licensing times to 1am for the Italy game.

Mr Baker turned down the proposal, leaving pubs with the option of applying individually to local authorities for a licence extension through the temporary event notice system - at a cost of £21 each.

But the Prime Minister ordered a rethink.

Ministers have the power to relax the rules to mark an occasion of ''exceptional international, national or local significance'', as was done for the royal wedding and Diamond Jubilee.

In an effort to curb problem drinking, supermarkets and other shops will be barred from selling alcohol at below cost price from April 6 under new licensing restrictions brought in for the World Cup finals.

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